Chinese Dragons heading to Gold Coast

Last week the Dragons, as they are more popularly known, held their final fundraising dinner at Jina’s Restaurant to raise funds to meet related accommodation and food costs during their stay in Gold Coast.The main feature of their function was 2 raffle ticket draws: one for a mobile phone sponsored by Our Telekom and the other for return tickets to Brisbane sponsored by Solomon Airlines.The mobile phone was won by Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Manasseh Maelanga and the return airline ticket to Brisbane was won by Winky Lee.Most of the players in the Dragons outfit are senior staff at government offices and in private businesses already past their glory days on the field but they are confident that they can bring home some pride.Captain William Lai said that it would be good thing if they win the championship and bring back the trophy.“I think winning will help us with our profile locally as we think about doing non-football work for the community,” Lai said.The last time they took part in the tournament was in 2008 when they finished fourth but team members are hoping for a better finish this year.Charity workLai said that a key activity the team will be embarking on when they return home is charity work.“We have not decided what cause we will be supporting but we will be working to raise funds to support an initiative that is worthwhile to the community,” Lai said.The idea for Chinese Dragons to engage in charity work finds its basis in the notion that the team members are satisfied with their achievements in life and they wish to give something back to the community.The option that the Chinese Dragons are leaning towards is partnering up with the Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) and while discussions are still in their infancy signs are already looking positive.The Dragons will depart for Australia on Friday 5th November, 2010.

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About SIFF

Football is officially recognised as the national sport in the Solomon Islands. With numerous competitions running year-round, the Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) has a busy time ensuring the game continues to grow and develop. SIFF was founded in 1978 and became a full FIFA member in 1988 largely thanks to the late Alan Boso who saw the potential of Solomon Islands football. Since then the association has grown from strength to strength.